A key part of a Jubilee celebration is the opportunity to gain an indulgence, which is “a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the actions of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints” (CCC 1471). (For more information on indulgences, visit madisondiocese.org/indulgences)
One way that the Jubilee indulgence is often granted is through a pilgrimage to Rome.
However, since the Holy Father has asked the world’s bishops to designate sites within their diocese as pilgrimage destinations for this year’s Jubilee, the faithful can gain the Jubilee indulgence much closer to home.
The following options for gaining the Jubilee indulgence are open to the faithful in the Diocese of Madison.
1) Pilgrimage: Make a pilgrimage to any of our six diocesan Jubilee sites and, while there, take part in one of the following: Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours (Office of Readings, Morning Prayer, or Evening Prayer), the Stations of the Cross, the Rosary, or a communal penance service with individual Confession.
2) Pious visit: Make a pious visit to any of our six diocesan Jubilee sites and, while there, engage in Eucharistic Adoration or prayerful meditation for a suitable length of time, finishing with an “Our Father,” the Creed, and any prayer to Mary.
3) Spiritual pilgrimage: If you are unable to travel to a Jubilee site for serious reasons (illness, age, imprisonment, being cloistered, being a caregiver, etc.), you can obtain the indulgence by making a “spiritual pilgrimage,” uniting your prayers and intentions to those taking part in pilgrimages and reciting an “Our Father” and a Creed.
4) Works of mercy or penance: Take part in any of the following works of mercy or penance: Participating in a mission, spiritual exercise, or similar formation activity related to the documents of Vatican II or the Catechism; carrying out an act of charity on behalf of the souls in Purgatory; visiting the sick, imprisoned, elderly, or disabled; fasting from futile distractions or unnecessary consumption one day a week; giving to the poor; engaging in charitable and justice initiatives.
In addition to carrying out one or more of the above works, the four usual conditions must also be fulfilled to receive a plenary indulgence (if any of them are lacking though, a partial indulgence can be granted: 1) detachment from all sin, even venial; 2) receiving Holy Communion (ideally the same day that the indulgenced work is carried out, though within 20 days is sufficient); 3) going to Confession (again, ideally on the same day as the work, but within 20 days is sufficient); and 4) praying for the intentions of the Pope.
The Jubilee indulgence can be granted between December 29, 2024, and January 6, 2026.
An indulgence can be applied to yourself or to someone who has died, but it cannot be applied to another living person.